Other Supporters : New campaign urges legal profession to "Look Deeper"

With lawyers four times more likely to experience depression than other professionals[1], the new campaign aims to address the cultural and individual impediments inhibiting people from both offering support, or asking for it.

The "Look Deeper" campaign urges members of the profession to look beneath the surface and have meaningful conversations.

R U OK? General Manager Brendan Maher said “We’ve found that many legal professionals feel the need to deflect enquiries into their emotional or mental wellbeing, in case it’s perceived as a poor reflection on their abilities and competence,” Brendan said. “Phrases like ‘Fine thanks’, ‘All good’ and ‘Never been better’ can sometimes be used to brush off the question ‘Are you ok?’” This campaign addresses the importance of not accepting these responses at face value and encourages them to look deeper.”

Partner, Peter Butler, at Herbert Smith Freehills, who was instrumental in initiating the "Resilience@Law Campaign” says the profession approached R U OK? because it needed a strategy that would target peers, as well as complement the progress already being made at a leadership and management level.

“Many firms have already adopted policies and practices to support someone facing adversity in their professional or home life, and have signed up to the Tristan Jepson Memorial Foundation Psychological Wellbeing Guidelines[2],” Peter said.

“However, we want to help the profession with the uptake of internal support by reducing the stigma and shame attached to asking for help. We aim to do this by reinforcing the responsibility we all have to support our peers by appropriately and sensitively talking about challenges they might be facing.”

Chairman of the National Mental Health Commission, Professor Allan Fels, has endorsed the campaign and urged all firms to get involved.

“The higher than average rates of depression and the associated stigma in the legal profession are well documented,” Professor Fels said. “I applaud the collaborative efforts of the profession to tackle this issue, reduce the stigma, and implement a campaign that aims to foster attitudinal and behavioural change at all levels.”

Do you want to look deeper? The campaign features the stories and insights of individuals who have either overcome tough times with the support of others, or supported someone to do so. It includes monthly video and email content, as well as postcards and posters.

You can get behind the campaign and access resources for free at www.lookdeeper.org.au.

For media enquiries please contact:
Fiona Nearn at R U OK? | (02) 434 1304 | [email protected]
Charlotte Geddes at King & Wood Mallesons | (02) 9296 3348 | [email protected]
Elena Lonergan at Colin Biggers & Paisley | (02) 8281 4594 | [email protected]


Notes to Editors:

R U OK? is a not-for-profit organisation that aims to inspire Australians to have regular, meaningful conversations throughout the year to help anyone who might be struggling with life.

R U OK?Day is a national day of action to remind all Australians of the importance of asking friends and family “are you ok?” It’s on the second Thursday of every September (10 September 2015).

Alliance
Allens Linklaters, Ashurst, Baker & McKenzie, Clayton Utz, Colin Biggers & Paisley, Corrs Chambers Westgarth, DibbsBarker, Gilbert + Tobin, Henry Davis York, Herbert Smith Freehills, Holding Redlich Lawyers, King & Wood Mallesons, Maddocks, McCullough Robertson, MinterEllison , Norton Rose Fulbright, Russell Kennedy and Sparke Helmore Lawyers.

Facts
More than 2,500 Australians suicide each year. That’s about 7 people every day.
65,000 people attempt suicide each year
Suicide is the biggest killer of Australians under 44 years
Men account for around 75 per cent of all suicide deaths

For tips on how to report sensitively and accurately on suicide, please visit: http://www.mindframe-media.info/for-media